On-field rugby union rivals The Spartans and RASIGS (Royal Australian Signals) are mixing it up this weekend, by not only switching sides, but also footy codes – all in the name of charity.
The sides will team up to battle it out against Australian and New Zealand Defence Force veterans in the ‘Anzac Challenge Cup’ in Brisbane on Saturday, April 27.
The Toowoomba Spartans Rugby Union team was formed in 2021, as a way for serving police officers to represent the Queensland Police Service and raise money at charity events.
Every year, they go head-to-head with their on-field rugby union rivals, the RASIGS, as part of the annual Brett Forte Memorial Cup.
This time, the Spartans are shaking up the usual competition – and combining forces with RASIGS for another chance to raise funds and awareness for a deserving local charity.
The now-combined “RASIGS Spartans Squad” will face off against Brisbane Veterans Rugby League FC at the Norths Devils Leagues Club in Nundah this Saturday, as a curtain raiser to the Host Plus Cup.
“This game promises to be action-packed from the start,” Sergeant Trevour O’Neil said.
“We love that we can turn our on-field rivalry into camaraderie, so that we can put on a real performance for the crowds and use it as an opportunity to fund raise at the same time.”
The community is invited to come along and support the players throughout the afternoon.
Gates will open at 1.30pm ahead of the Mal Meninga Cup starting at 2pm, before the Anzac Challenge Cup, kicks off at 3.30pm.
The Brisbane Veterans RLFC are even planning to ignite their engines a little early and ride in convoy to the stadium, arriving just in time for all the footy action to get underway.
RASIGS Spartans Captain’s run:
When: 11.30am, Saturday, April 27
Where: St Joseph’s Rugby League Club, 14a Wellington Street, Virginia
Games:
When: Gates open 1.30pm, Saturday, April 27
Where: Norths Devils Leagues Club, corner Franklin and Amelia Streets, Nundah
Mal Meninga Cup: 2pm – Norths Devils v Toowoomba Clydesdales
Anzac Challenge Charity Cup: 3.30pm – RASIGS Spartans v Army Veterans
Host Plus Cup: 5pm – Western Clydesdales v Norths Devils
A charity auction will follow the games and money raised from the event will go towards Animal Therapies Limited (ATL), which assists with linking people with animal-assisted services in their area.
The health promotion charity helps people in need to find the right animal-related services, that can aid them with their condition.
“The teams not only play for pride an honour, but to raise awareness for these types of charities, who offer great assistance to people who suffer from physical or mental health conditions, who require animals in their support and therapy,” Sergeant O’Neil said.
“It is important for everyone, including people in our line of work, to have access to these important services and we want to assist in whatever way we can.”
Major sponsors for the charity event include Mellori Solution, Toowoomba Colliers and Newlands Group Toowoomba.
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